A/N: Well I've finally reached the final chapter! For a while I really wasn't sure if I was going to finish this, and I was racking my brain about the ending, but I would like to thank everyone that read this and left those wonderful reviews and I hope that everyone enjoys the ending!
Everyone stood frozen as they stared at the three new forms in the middle of the platform. A man dressed in red robes, another man dressed in brown robes, and a woman dressed in blue robes. Liu and Kung Lao recognized the forms at once and bowed in respect. These were the human forms of the Elder Gods, or at least the forms they took on in the legends they were taught at the Temple of the Order of Light. They had thought Kahn was only taunting Raiden when he asked if he was ready to meet the Elder Gods, they had no idea that they would actually appear!
"What is the meaning of this?!" Shinnok shouted as he stood from his throne. "You have no purpose here! You have no right-"
"Silence Shinnok!" The God in red bellowed as he stared at the fallen Elder God. "You lost the right to speak in our presence the day you betrayed us." He turned to Kahn, whose hammer he held grasped in his fist, keeping it from hitting Raiden. "And you...if you weren't to be part of a bigger plan I would end your miserable existence right now."
"You dare speak to the future emperor of Outworld that way! You only hold power to those that believe and I am far from being one of those believers!" He bellowed as he attempted to pull his hammer free from the Fire God's fist, only struggle futility as his hammer refused to move, even with his superhuman strength.
The Fire God shook his head in disapproval and fired a blast of energy from the hand holding Kahn's hammer, Kahn froze in his movements, remaining motionless like a statue. "You've raised a very foolish son, Shinnok. It's no surprise to see why the future ends up as it does."
The Goddess in blue helped Raiden to his feet. Raiden was to shocked to say anything and instead kept his eyes trained on the ground, as a sign of respect. He knew what could happen if you disobeyed the wishes of the Elder Gods, their legends were definitely not beyond Outworld's reach. Something was bothering him though, he felt like this had happened to him before. It was then that he realized where these feelings of deja vu had come.
"My dreams...This all happened to me in my dreams!"
The Goddess nodded, "You are correct. Those visions were sent to prepare you for one and the current outcome of your final trial."
"W-What? What outcome do you speak of? I lost the final trial. I should be dead."
"That you should, but we've looked into your soul," she glanced over at Khan before looking back to Raiden, "And your brother's, we decided that you would be of better use to us alive than dead. There is something special about you Raiden. There is a goodness, an air of wisdom that surrounds you that could prove useful in the coming times."
"I still don't understand, so do you mean to say that if I had beaten Kahn, you would have appeared to him instead?
"Us? Appear willingly to do something for Shao Khan? Never!" The Water Goddess said firmly, "If You were the one to win the final trial, you would have shown us that you were just as corrupt as Kahn and Shinnok. Shao Kahn would have remained dead, you would go on to become emperor of Outworld and we would never have appeared to you. There are many suitable warriors and other Gods for what we have chosen to do with you, you were just first choice.
She then walked over to him and motioned for the other Gods to follow her. They each placed their hands above his head as their eyes began to glow. Water, fire, and bits of earth began to swarm around him and the rest of the fighters stared on in awe as Raiden's appearance slowly began to change into the form they were greatly familiar with. His wounds from the fight were slowly healed and disappeared and his clothes were replaced with the pristine white robes that they had become so used to seeing him wear.
"What this all means is," She began as she and the rest of the Gods stepped back, "That we have decided to make you one of us."
"Are you insane?!" Another outburst from Shinnok. "You are making him an Elder God over the actual winner of the third trial?! You are all still same fools that I remembered, and you wonder why I betrayed you all!"
"Silence!" The fire held his hand back, blasting a stream of fire at the fallen God. Shinnok managed to hold it off with his staff until the other Gods joined in, finally trapping him in a combination of all of their respective elements.
"No one was talking about making him an Elder God. He has no where near the power, the ability or the will to handle that position." The Earth God spoke finally. "We had another plan for him." He turned to face Raiden. "We are offering the position of Thunder God to you. If you choose to accept you will take your place in the pantheon of the Gods and have the chance to gain knowledge and power over and of things that it would take humans lifetimes to even begin to comprehend."
Liu couldn't help but notice how Raiden's eyes would flicker back to him every few seconds as the God spoke. He wished he could see what was going on in the other man's head. This is what they had been waiting for, the mission they had come to complete. They could finally return home. He should be happy, but why did it feel like his heart was going to shatter and spill on the ground the longer he watched them.
"I—I don't know. After being a puppet for my father and brother for so long, I'm not sure how I feel like being a puppet for the heavens." Raiden replied calmly.
"I assure you, you will not be our puppet. You will free will to protect the realm of our choice as you see fit. You will be protecting Earthrealm. It will be very valuable and needs a strong guardian and if I am correct, I believe you already have some attachments to that realm, do you not?"
Raiden looked back at the others, and then locked eyes with Liu. He had to do this. It was the only way he could escape Outworld with his sanity and his soul intact, but he didn't want to do it alone. Deep in his heart, he knew what he was about ask was selfish, but he had finally found someone that understood him, understood everything he's been through and he wasn't about to give that up so easily.
"I will accept your offer, but on one condition."
The Fire God frowned, "You dare make demands of us? From what we've seen of you I thought you would be smarter than that."
Raiden once more bowed his head in respect, "I mean no disrespect, nor do I mean to make demands. I only wish to have a partner in helping me protect Earthrealm. I humbly ask that you bestow the powers of a God onto the shaolin monk Liu Kang, so that he may help me with my protection of Earthrealm."
A chorus of gasps were heard from the rest of the fighters as Liu tried to absorb what he had just heard. The irrational part of him had no problem saying yes if Raiden's request was granted, but the rational part of him knew that there was no way he could say yes. This wasn't his time. This wasn't his place. He just wished he could make his heart understand that.
The three Elder Gods looked at each other, silently communicating their decision of the request amongst themselves. They soon came upon a decision and walked over to Liu. It was the Fire God that spoke, "If it is your wish to join your friend as protector of the realm of Earth than we shall grant you the power to do so, however, I believe you know the rewards and consequences of your acceptance. Choose wisely."
He glanced up at Raiden, his eyes hopeful but Liu could still see the fear and apprehension there, his worry that Liu may not choose to accept his offer. He didn't dare look at the others. He wasn't sure what emotions he would see on their faces and he didn't want to know. He did know one thing. The mission was over. Raiden had become Thunder God, or was at least on on his way to becoming the Thunder God. Looking into Raiden's eyes once more, he knew what he had to do.
It was time to come clean.
"Raiden...I—I can't do this. I cannot become a God."
To Liu's shock, Raiden smiled and nodded at him. "I understand. I do admit it was rather selfish to ask for this without even telling you first, but I couldn't help it. I am sorry about putting you on the spot like that. I still shall see you in Earthrealm, shall I not? From the way you helped me, I feel like you would be a great candidate to represent Earthrealm in the great tournament."
"Thank you, but that isn't why I said no." Liu said gently, he took a deep breath before he continued, "And you won't see me in Earthrealm, at least not for a very long time."
"What?" Raiden said, his voice full of confusion. "What are you talking about Liu?"
Kitana stepped up and put a hand on his shoulder, "Liu are you sure this is such a good idea. We may have completed our mission, but if you tell him everything, we still don't know how it'll affect the future."
"Don't worry, I highly doubt the Elder Gods will allow that now that they're here. They only interfere in situations where they are threatened and I believe what I am about to say will cause them to have to choice but to interfere afterward." He walked over to Raiden and reached up to cup his face in his hand. Raiden smiled and clasped Liu's hand in his own and leaned into the touch.
"So what Shang Tsung said was true..." Jax muttered in awe as he watched the scene play out in front of him. After Shang Tsung was revealed to be the Sub-Zero that they had spoken to earlier that day, Jax knew he wasn't the only one that felt more than a little guilty about how they ganged up on Liu earlier. Even though the sorcerer's words were confirmed, he couldn't find it in himself to be angry about what Liu hid from them.
Liu sighed as he began to speak, "Raiden, I'm sorry but the reason you won't see me in Earthrealm is because my friends and I aren't from this time."
And there it was, that look of pain that Liu had foolishly vowed to never put on Raiden's face again after he was finally forgiven for pushing the other man away after their sparring match. "You are our mentor in the future and the deadly alliance," he gestured to the two sorcerers still encased in ice, "were told by Shinnok that you were once human and traveled back in time to kill you to keep you from becoming Thunder God. Your future self sent us back to protect you and keep them from reaching you until the three trials were completed and you gained your powers."
Raiden jerked away from him violently, his eyes flashing with anger. In that second Liu knew that if Raiden had his powers, he would be nothing but ashes on the ground right now. "How dare you! You mean everything between us, everything was a lie?!"
"No! Of course not!" He tried to reach out to Raiden only to be pushed away. He couldn't leave like this, he couldn't leave Raiden hurting like this. "Everything that happened between us was real. I care a great deal for you Raiden, but you have to understand there was much more at stake here than what was happening between us. I couldn't tell you anything. I couldn't risk our mission."
"Don't you think I understand that now?! I know whatever it was building between us paled in comparison to what you were sent here for, but how am I supposed know that you truly care," His voice dropped to barely above a whisper as he said, "When you've spent all this time lying to me and now when just going to disappear?"
"There was nothing in our plan that told me to start developing feelings for you, but when they appeared after being with you for such a short time, I knew if I left without showing you how I felt, I would regret it forever. You were so much different than your future self, you felt more reachable and I felt closer to you know than I ever did in the future. I don't want to lose this bond between us, not when it's the only thing I'll have left."
Raiden nodded sadly, his anger beginning to drain away with the realization of what was to come. "Of course, with your presence here and you telling me your mission, they have no choice but to reset the time-line to preserve the future."
The water Goddess spoke up then, "He is correct. We cannot allow any altercations of the time-line for better or worse." She looked over at Sub-Zero before waving her hand and the second dragon medallion and the new armor had disappeared and his old armor returned. "Any powers or new skills will remain here since it would possibly upset the balance of good and evil in the future, but since all of you will be transported directly back to your current time, there will be no point in erasing your memories since you will not be able to use anything you learned here to change the future." She paused before looking calmly at Raiden, "However, there is no doubt in our minds that Raiden's feelings for you will cloud his judgment and we need him clear headed and focused, and not pining away for some monk."
"What are you going to do to him?! Causing him more pain shouldn't be the answer if you want him useful to you!" Kung Lao shouted. Liu glanced back at him in surprise. He and Kung Lao had not seen eye to eye on anything since they had started their mission, but he could hear the anger lacing his words and was surprised that he could have so much anger focused on the Elder Gods.
The goddess ignored the outburst and continued on, "The second you step through the portal created by that medallion, the memory of every person you came into contact with while here will be altered, so that no trace of you remains. This ensures that they will not know of your presence until it is the right time."
Liu looked over at Raiden, who head hung in defeat and his fists remained balled at his sides, as if looking for someone to strike. Instead, he calmly walked back over to Liu and embraced him tightly, "You know, I should probably tell you the other reason I asked you for help."
Liu chuckled and shook his head, "With everything I've just said and with what's about to happen, that's the first thing you think of to say to me?"
"Yes, because it makes sense to me now. I felt drawn to you for some reason. It wasn't just your power, but there was something about you that I couldn't help but want to get closer to. I didn't want this to end so quickly. It's why I wanted you to join me as guardian of Earthrealm, but know this, I refuse to forget anything that happened between us. No matter what they do to my mind, know that I will not forget this."
Liu smirked up at him, hoping that the happiness he felt in this moment hid the lingering sadness he still felt inside, "You sound like your future self already. He never stood idly by when he felt there was something he could do, even if it meant defying the Elder Gods."
The portal to take them home stood glowing in the background, its presence a constant reminder of what was to happen in a few moments. For most of them it was a sign that they could go home and get back to fighting against the evil in their time, but for Liu and Raiden, it was a reminder of everything they were going to have to leave behind.
"We will not keep that portal open much longer." The earth God said calmly, "End your goodbyes and return to your realm."
Raiden and Liu locked eyes once again, knowing that it would be the last time for a very long time that they would be able to do so. Liu reached up and wrapped his arms around Raiden's neck, pulling him down to crush their lips together. Raiden's arms tightened around Liu's waist as he put all his energy and passion into the kiss.
When they broke apart, Liu began walking to the portal, only to be stopped by Raiden's voice. "Wait! You came here to make sure I became Thunder God, you shouldn't leave before see what you came for."
As He walked back over to the Elder Gods, Liu and the other fighters turned back as well and watched as the Earth God stood before him, holding a new staff, which sparked brightly with remnants of electricity. "Raiden, son of Shinnok, are you prepared to enter the pantheon of the Gods as the new God of Thunder and protector of the realm of Earth?"
Raiden bowed and stepped forward, "I am."
"Then take this staff and with it you will be granted your reign over thunder and your ascension to the heavens."
When Raiden grasped the staff, a bright bolt of lightning struck the ground and enveloped him completely. He could feel the power begin flow through him and the thunder and lightning become one with his spirit. He could feel his strength began to grow rapidly and his mind fill with knowledge starting from the beginning of time. He fell to his knees as the lightning disappeared, panting harshly as he tried to stand.
"Rise Thunder God! Show us your new strength!" The Fire God commanded.
Raiden stood shakily and turned to Liu and the others, "Well...is this what you came here to see?" Electricity radiated around him constantly. His trademark hat and cape had been placed in their rightful places. Gone were the deep brown eyes that Liu had become become attached to and were replaced by glowing blue pupils he had always recognized him by in the future.
"Yes..."He turned and nodded to the others, slowly following behind them as they walked back to the portal. "I think our time here is finally done."
Raiden watched as the Earthrealm warriors he had begun to call his friends and allies step back through the portal that would take them back to their time and out of his life forever, when it was Liu's turn to step through he couldn't help but call out to him one last time, "Liu! Remember my words!"
Liu looked back and smiled, "I plan on it."
The portal closed instantly behind the monk, the glowing light and the medallion completely disappearing. Raiden took a deep breath as he turned and walked back to the Elder Gods, finally accepting what was about to happen to him. He gave a final glance at his brother, still frozen under the power of the Elder Gods and his father still trapped in his cage and smirked before looking to the Water Goddess, "I'm ready."
Liu gasped as they exited the portal and collapsed in the forest. There was always something about traveling through portals that always set him off balance. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get used to it. As they looked around the clearing where they had returned for their Raiden, they found him a few feet away deep in meditation.
As they began toward him, Kung Lao grabbed Liu's wrist and pulled him back from the others. At Liu's puzzled gaze, he quickly began to speak. "Listen, I just wanted to apologize for all the things I said while we were there. I had no right to say anything about the relationship, no matter what it was, between the two of you. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to do what you did back there. I guess that's just another reason why you're the champion my friend." He held out his hand which Liu quickly grasped and shook firmly.
"Thank you Kung Lao. I really appreciate the words. It's all forgiven my friend." He clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on. We should catch up to the others."
They caught up to the others right when Jax decided to break Raiden from his mediation, "Raiden! We're back!" He shouted happily as he clapped the God on the shoulder, "And the next time you decide to send us to the past, I'd appreciate if you gave us a little more information next time."
Raiden chuckled as he stood, "I take it that you did not find my family much to your liking?"
Sonya shook her head in disbelief, "That would be an understatement."
Kitana smiled happily, "It's just good to know that you're going to be alright Raiden. We were worried that we were going to lose you for a bit back there. I wish you would have told us how it would end." She glanced over at Liu who remained silent, "You had all of us on pins and needles."
Raiden looked slightly guilty at her words, "I do apologize for that. I didn't mean to worry all of you." He looked over to the two ice blocks containing the deadly alliance. "How have they managed not to break free yet?" he asked curiously.
Sub-Zero grinned beneath his mask, "Shang Tsung unknowingly teleported me close enough to this village of Cyromancers. Once they figured out I had powers just like them, they were quick to heal me up and give me a bit of a power boost. They should stay that way for a while."
"We need to get them to the Netherrealm." Raiden said. He raised his staff and slammed it into the ground, reactivating the power of the portal they had just used. "Sub-Zero, Kenshi would you mind taking them back to the Netherrealm. If they defrost you two will have the easiest time containing them."
The Lin-Kuei and the swordsman nodded, "It's no problem Raiden." Kenshi replied. He used his telekinesis to levitate the two blocks into the the portal and stepped in after Sub-Zero. "I was glad to be of service to you Lord Raiden." he said as he disappeared in the bright light of the portal.
"Also my lord," Jade said, "The princess and I must take our leave. Queen Sindel is expecting our return. There were apparently some urgent matters that she required our assistance with."
"Very well then. You can use that same portal. It will take you to the nexus where you will have access to a portal back to Edenia."
"Thank you Raiden." Jade said as she bowed and stepped through the portal. Kitana started to follow after her, but turned back to give Liu a tight hug and a gentle smile before she followed her friend into the light.
Liu was about to speak, but was quickly interrupted by Kung Lao. "I'll be taking Jax and Sonya back to the temple. Apparently they have a lead that Kano is nearby and I think there are some things that you two need to discuss, alone." He gestured for the two Special Forces agents to follow him. "I'll see you back at the temple Liu."
With the last three fighters gone, the monk and the God were left alone. Raiden looked at Liu with puzzlement, "Well apparently there is something we need to discuss. If Kung Lao's lack of subtlety is anything to go by. You have been silent since you returned. Did something happen to you in the past ?"
If you only knew! Liu thought, but instead just shook his head. "No it was nothing."
"It doesn't seem like nothing." He moved closer and Liu felt the hand on his shoulder, the light electric current sending a wave of calm through him, "You don't seem to be too happy to be back."
Liu hesitated with his next words. How does he explain to Raiden what happened? When it was obvious that the Elder Gods had done their jobs with wiping his memory. He was just about to speak when he felt Raiden's lips firmly pressed against his, in his shock he remained motionless until Raiden pulled back, a look of sadness on his face.
"I take it my memory was mistaken then?"
"Y—you remember?" Liu asked nervously, slightly afraid of the answer.
"Remember what?" At the stricken look on Liu's face he quickly continued, "After we defeated Shinnok again and I became an Elder God for that short time, I was equal to them in power, and because of that, anything they had done to me in the past to keep me under control was undone. Apparently something was done to me around the time I accepted my powers because all I kept having these flashes two of us kissing outside of Shinnok's castle before you would disappear suddenly. When I relinquished my status as an Elder God, whatever mental blocks they had placed on me returned, but that memory remained."
Liu couldn't keep the grin off his face as he leaned in for another kiss, this one much slower and easy than the ones they shared in the past. "You don't know how happy your words have just made me." He whispered against his lips, "I thought I could handle it if you couldn't remember, but as soon as I saw you, I wasn't sure if I could anymore. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"There was never time with the constant threats against Earth, nor did I see a point since you were smitten with Kitana. Besides I wasn't sure what those flashes meant and I didn't want to jeopardize our relationship now by chasing a fading memory." He raised his hand and cupped his cheek and Liu covered his hand and leaned into the touch, just like they had done in the past. "I'm truly sorry I don't remember anymore Liu." Raiden said sadly,"I feel like I'm hurting you by this. I feel like you're being cheated by the fact I have no knowledge of the memories you seem to hold so dear."
Liu smiled and began walking back down the path that would take them back to the temple, "You have some time to spare right? Because I think I have a story that may be able to fill in some of those gaps for you..."